Independent Bank wins blood drive battle

GAYLORD — The 10th annual Battle of the Banks Red Cross blood drive this week in Gaylord exceeded its goal of 35 pints with the collection of 41 pints from 42 potential donors.

Independent Bank, 521 W. Main St., won this year’s battle as top recruiter with 15 pints. Fifth Third Bank came in second with 11. The balance of blood came from Northwestern Bank and Citizens Bank.

“I think we won because we have great customers,” said Vanessa Somers, lead teller at Independent’s Aspen Park branch. “Ten out of the 15 who donated blood were customers. I do it every year because I’ve had relatives who have needed blood. It’s my way of giving back for what they’ve received.”

“We are seeing a slight decline overall in donations due to the economy,” said Biz Bauer, senior donor recruiter representative of the Red Cross Great Lakes Region, who works out of the Petoskey office. “Some of our regular donors who live further out in rural areas have said they’ve had to start limiting their trips to town. We’re hoping they can make some adjustments in the future, like coordinating the days they shop or have appointments in town with the blood drives.”

With schools in session, the Red Cross expects that students, who are a major force in building and maintaining blood supplies, will bring in more donations. High school and college students, ages 16 to 25, account for 30 percent of blood collected in parts of Michigan.

The help of all eligible donors, however, is needed to meet the needs of hospital patients. About 38 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, but less than 5 percent actually do.

Donors need to be 17 years of age (16 with parental permission); weigh 110 pounds or more, depending on height; and be in general good health. They need to bring their donor card or positive ID with them to the drive.

Everyone who comes out to donate blood or platelets in October has a chance to win a $250 Meijer gift card.